NEWS | House officials petition for ‘Bayanihan 3’, seek ₱247-billion funding
By Jaxine Dominique Laguio
House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, Deputy Speaker Sharon Garin and House Ways and Means Chair Joey Salceda filed the third iteration of the Bayanihan Law last November 23, 2020. House Bill №8059 or Bayanihan to Rebuild as One vouches for additional financial aid to further ease the economic impact of COVID-19 in the country. During the first virtual hearing held last December 1, several government departments lended their full support for the said bill. However, lawmakers still questioned its necessity.
What’s it For?
“[The measure] further reconditions the economy, particularly the sectors that have been gravely affected by the pandemic. It focuses on the government assistance to banking sectors, rentals, businesses, livelihood, workers, agriculture, education, and health,” the lawmakers disclosed on the bill’s explanatory note.
Correspondingly, out of the ₱247-billion funding, ₱100 billion will be allotted for the health and resiliency related infrastructure programs. While an exclusive ₱20 billion will be granted for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines. A separate funding of ₱10 billion will also be distributed to the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) alongside another ₱10 billion to Medical Assistance to Indigents Program (MAIP).
As per the education sector, a total of ₱20 billion will be consigned; parting ₱5 billion each for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) scholarship funds, and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The remaining ₱10 billion will be given to the Department of Education (DepEd).
Additionally, for the rent refinancing and loan restructuring efforts of government banks, a total of ₱7 billion will be proportioned to Landbank and the Development Bank of the Philippines.
The remaining sum will be intended for monetary interventions, which include the allocation of ₱10 billion each for the agri-fishery industry, payroll protection loans, Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced / Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD), and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
The Body in Charge
Bayanihan 3 also entailed the establishment of a Bayanihan Council which would intervene and regulate the disbursement of funds.
The Senate President, the Speaker of the House, seven Cabinet members assigned by the President, one senator assigned by the Senate President, and three congressmen assigned by the House Speaker, from the ‘Dominant Minority Party’, shall form the governing body.
Support from gov’t departments
During the recent virtual committee hearing, government departments, with exception of the Department of Finance (DOF), had lended their full support for the legislation of Bayanihan 3.
Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafurte Jr, the lead author of Bayanihan 1 and Bayanihan 2 also backed the proposal of another Bayanihan law.
“I fully support a Senate proposal to legislate ‘Bayanihan 3’ for the sole purpose of funnelling substantial funds into the large-scale rehabilitation of provinces and cities reeling from the disastrous impact of super typhoons Quinta, Rolly and Ulysses,” Villfurte said.
On the other hand, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) emphasized that finding sources will be a crucial issue in pursuing the measure.
Necessity in question
Two weeks earlier, Minority leader Senator Franklin Drilon slammed the proposed creation of another Bayanihan Law that would have yet to yield again a multi-billion funding from the government.
“Bayanihan 2 is still effective up to December 19, and a substantial portion of the funds have not been released, and funded programs and projects have not been implemented,” Drilon said.
He also mentioned that Bayanihan 3 makes no sense at all, since the proposed P4.506-trillion national budget for 2021 will immediately take effect next year, as it is expected to be passed before the end of December.
